Top 11 Expat Health Insurance Providers in China

The top 11 international health insurance companies in China for expats include Cigna, Allianz, NOW Health International, AXA, GeoBlue, MSH International, IMG Global, April International, Ping An, Bupa, and ICBC-AXA. These companies are known for their comprehensive benefits and excellent customer service, making them the best options for expats seeking health coverage in China.

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Choosing the right health insurance provider for living in China can be overwhelming, but these 11 companies stand out for offering tailored plans that meet the diverse needs of expats. From flexible coverage options to 24/7 multilingual customer support, these insurers are trusted by expats across the country for their reliability and accessibility.

In this Pacific Prime blog post, we’ll offer highlights of the plans available through each of these 11 best expat health insurance providers in China. We’ll also explain why each medical insurance company is popular among expats.

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Top 11 Health Insurance Providers for Expats in China

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The 11 best medical insurance companies for expats include Cigna, Allianz, NOW Health International, AXA, GeoBlue, MSH International, IMG Global, April International, Ping An, and ICBC-AXA. The insurance companies excel at customer service and offer comprehensive benefits.

Want customized insurance pricing and options now? Find and compare obligation-free international health insurance quotes for free online with Pacific Prime’s quote generator.

We’ll offer a more in-depth look at these top 11 insurance companies for expats in China:

Benefits of Choosing Cigna Health Insurance for Expats in China

Cigna offers top-notch expat health insurance in China. Basic Cigna Silver international plans start at USD $365 a month for an American woman aged 32. Comprehensive medical insurance with dental coverage costs as little as USD $583 monthly for a 32-year-old American female with a USD $0 deductible.

Cigna plans have different coverage levels, so you can choose the deductible, premium, and coverage amount that works best for you. 

Comprehensive Cigna Silver Plans offer the following benefits:

  • Medical evacuation and repatriation
  • $0 deductible on inpatient medical expenses
  • Outpatient coverage
  • Optical and dental coverage (with co-pay)
  • Newly diagnosed chronic conditions
  • Wellness exams 

Expats who would like a lower premium and more basic health insurance coverage can select a Cigna Silver plan with the following benefits:

  • USD $10,000 deductible on inpatient medical expenses and a $500 deductible on outpatient expenses
  • Dental coverage up to $1,250 (with co-pay)
  • Optical coverage
  • Coverage for newly diagnosed chronic conditions

Why Expats Choose Cigna International Health Insurance Plans

  • Flexible plan options for deductibles and coverage to fit your budget
  • More than 1.5 million in-network providers worldwide
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Customer support in 50 languages
  • Healthcare providers in 192 countries and territories
  • Online customer platform

Discover more details about Cigna’s expat plans in China in this Pacific Prime blog post.

Why Allianz is a Top Choice for Expat Health Insurance in China

Allianz sells comprehensive international health insurance for expats in China at an affordable rate. A 32-year-old American woman can get an Allianz plan with inpatient, outpatient, dental, and maternity coverage for less than USD $500 monthly.

Allianz’s China Diamond Plus + Care OP (M+D) plan offers regional coverage for an expat’s medical services in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Here are additional benefits offered through this plan:

  • Maternity waiting period of only 180 days
  • Annual inpatient deductible of only USD $4,515
  • Outpatient coinsurance of only USD $60 at private hospitals and clinics
  • Emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage
  • Newly diagnosed chronic conditions
  • Dental coverage up to USD $2,258 (with co-pay)
  • Annual benefit limit of up to USD $2,844,000

Expats who need more extensive geographical coverage should consider Allianz’s Diamond + Prime OP (M+D) with worldwide coverage excluding the United States. This plan includes the following benefits:

  • Dental and Optical coverage
  • Coverage for newly diagnosed chronic conditions
  • Annual inpatient deductible of as little as USD $2,258
  • Routine maternity coverage with a waiting period of as short as 180 days
  • Annual benefit limit of up to USD $2,844,000
  • Emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage
  • Outpatient medical expenses coverage

Why Expats Choose Allianz International Health Insurance Plans

  • Efficient claims processing
  • Affordable international family coverage packages
  • MyHealth Digital Services
  • Expat Assitance Program (EAP) for support with mental health as well as personal and professional needs 24/7
  • A global network of more than 1.9 medical providers

Keep reading about Allianz expat health insurance in China.

NOW Health International: Comprehensive Plans for Expats in China 

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NOW Health International’s comprehensive expat insurance plans in China start at USD $500 monthly for an American woman aged 32. These comprehensive plans offer inpatient, outpatient, dental, maternity, medical evacuation, and emergency repatriation coverage.

Here are the benefits available on NOW Health International’s basic Apex plan for expats in China. Coverage on this selected plan is limited to mainland China:

  • Minor and major restorative dental coverage with a co-pay 
  • Coverage for newly diagnosed chronic conditions
  • An annual deductible of USD $13,731
  • Maternity coverage with a waiting period of only 180 days
  • Emergency evacuation and repatriation

The following benefits are included in NOW Health International’s comprehensive Apex plan with worldwide coverage excluding the United States for expats in China.

  • Optical and Dental coverage
  • Maternity insurance (waiting period of 180 days)
  • Deductible is $13,731 annually
  • Emergency evacuation and repatriation
  • Well-being coverage, including vaccines and cancer screenings
  • Coverage for travel vaccinations

Why Expats Choose NOW Health International Health Insurance Plans

  • Claims can be submitted through the app or online for a hassle-free filing experience
  • Online chat platform for customer assistance
  • NOW Health International communicates clearly and makes it easy to find policy information and support
  • Multilingual customer support
  • Knowledgeable insurance advisors

Learn more about NOW Health International insurance for expats in China.

AXA’s Reliable Coverage Options for Expats in China

AXA’s comprehensive expat health insurance plans in China start at USD $438 monthly for a 32-year-old American woman with inpatient, outpatient, medical evacuation, emergency repatriation, maternity, and dental coverage. 

AXA’s Classic China plan offers comprehensive coverage in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. The plan includes the following benefits:

  • A low deductible of only USD $4,500 annually
  • Dental coverage
  • Inpatient and outpatient medical expenses coverage
  • Emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage
  • Maternity coverage with a short waiting period of 180 days
  • Coverage for annual health checks and routine vaccinations

AXA’s Elite International plan offers coverage for expats worldwide excluding the United States. This plan offers a higher dental benefit limit than more basic plans and more expansive geographical coverage for medical services. You can customize the plan for a zero-dollar deductible.

Why Expats Choose AXA Expat Health Insurance Plans

  • AXA has more than 55 years of experience in offering high-quality insurance
  • AXA serves more than 95 million clients because of its outstanding track record
  • AXA has regional conglomerates around the globe to specialize in services

Get more information about AXA expat health insurance in China.

GeoBlue: A Unique Option for American Expats in China

GeoBlue’s worldwide international health insurance plans for American expats living abroad offer benefits not widely available through other insurance companies. Expats may be able to find coverage for pre-existing conditions through GeoBlue.

GeoBlue’s worldwide expat plans include Xplorer Essential and Xplorer Premier. 

Here are the benefits of Geo Blue’s Xplorer Essential plan without any add-ons for coverage in the United States.

  • Annual benefit limit of USD $1,000,000
  • Deductible options range from USD $0 up to $10,000 depending on your medical needs and budget
  • Preventative and primary care coverage abroad
  • Inpatient and Outpatient medical expense coverage
  • An option to include an enhanced pharmacy coverage benefit

Here are the unparalleled benefits of GeoBlue’s Xplorer Premier plan with coverage inside the United States.

  • Unlimited annual benefit
  • Preventative and primary care coverage worldwide including the United States
  • Deductible options ranging between $0 and $10,000
  • USD $25,000 in annual pharmacy benefits
  • Inpatient and outpatient medical expenses covered

Why Expats Choose GeoBlue for International Health Insurance

  • GeoBlue clients get free access to Global TeleMD
  • An app exclusively available for customers
  • One of the largest direct billing networks worldwide
  • 24/7 customer service
  • Cashless appointments

Learn more about how GeoBlue covers expats in China here.

MSH International: Customizable Expat Health Plans in China

MSH International offers health insurance to expats in China through their MSH China brand. Private international medical insurance plans are available to individuals and groups. Plans can be customized for coverage limited to mainland China only or as expansive as worldwide coverage.

Individual Expat plans through MSH China offer the following benefits:

  • Perfect supplemental insurance options for expats with resident status island public health coverage in China
  • Annual benefit limits up to RMB 16 Million (about USD $2,210,000)
  • Direct billing providers on six continents and 150 countries worldwide
  • More than 860,000 in-network providers worldwide
  • Coverage at more than 1500 hospitals and clinics in China

Why Expats Choose MSH International Expat Insurance

  • Customer support in 50 languages from a multinational team
  • Customer support is available 24/7
  • MSH International offers a convenient member app
  • Plans are customizable
  • Worldwide coverage options with direct billing

For additional information about MSH International in China, click here.

IMG Global: Affordable Worldwide Health Coverage for Expats in China

IMG (International Medical Group) offers a worldwide coverage plan for expats that includes medical cost coverage in China. The company offers a cost-saving medical consierge program. Clients can get additional perks for electing to receive care outside of the United States.

The following lists highlight the benefits available through IMG’s Global Medical Insurance by coverage tier.

IMG’s Bronze Global Medical Insurance Benefits

  • Lifetime benefit limit of USD $1,000,000
  • 50% of deductible waived for care received outside of the United States
  • 50% of deductible waived for using the concierge medical services within the USA
  • Coverage for inpatient and emergency room services
  • USD $600 limit for outpatient prescription drugs (per incident)
  • Vision and dental riders are available

IMG’s Silver Global Medical Insurance Benefits

  • Lifetime benefit limit of USD $5,000,000
  • Limited pre-existing condition coverage is available after 24 months of continuous coverage
  • Outpatient mental health coverage after 12 months of continuous coverage
  • 50% of deductible waived for care received outside of the United States
  • 50% of deductible waived for using the concierge medical services within the USA
  • Coverage for inpatient and emergency room services
  • Oustanding outpatient prescription drug coverage outside of the USA
  • Vision and dental riders are available

IMG’s Gold Global Medical Insurance Benefits

  • Lifetime benefit limit of USD $5,000,000
  • USD $750 coverage for podiatry care
  • USD $250 for adult preventative care
  • Mental health coverage up to $10,000 after 12 months of continuous coverage
  • Teleconsultation coverage
  • Oustanding outpatient prescription drug coverage outside of the USA
  • Vision and dental riders are available
  • Limited pre-existing condition coverage is available after 24 months of continuous coverage
  • 50% of deductible waived for care received outside of the United States
  • 50% of deductible waived for using the concierge medical services within the USA
  • Coverage for inpatient and emergency room services

IMG’s Platinum Global Medical Insurance Benefits

  • Lifetime benefit limit of USD $8,000,000
  • USD $50,000 in lifetime mental health care benefits
  • Maternity Insurance coverage available with an additional deductible
  • Political evacuation benefit of up to $10,000 per lifetime
  • USD $500 for adult preventative care
  • Remote mental health care coverage
  • USD $750 coverage for podiatry care
  • Teleconsultation coverage
  • Oustanding outpatient prescription drug coverage outside of the USA
  • Vision and dental riders are available
  • Limited pre-existing condition coverage is available after 24 months of continuous coverage
  • 50% of deductible waived for care received outside of the United States
  • 50% of deductible waived for using the concierge medical services within the USA
  • Coverage for inpatient and emergency room services

Why Expats Choose IMG Global Health Insurance Plans

  • IMG offers travel, security, and medical support services for clients worldwide
  • Worldwide coverage options for expats who need expansive coverage and more limited coverage area options for budget-conscious expats
  • Clients can add dental or vision benefits to their plans

Read more about IMG Global health insurance for expats in China here.

April International: Flexible Health Insurance Plans for Expats in China

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April International offers plans for expat individuals and families in China. Five levels of coverage are available with April International’s long-term expat health insurance plans. You can choose between basic, emergency coverage, and more comprehensive coverage options.

Let’s take a closer look at the highlights in coverage for each tier of April International’s MyHealth International plans.

April International’s MyHealth International Emergency Plan Benefits

  • Annual limit of USD $250,000
  • Coverage for medical emergencies and accidents only
  • Coverage for medical repatriation

April International’s MyHealth International Formule Plan Benefits

  • Full coverage for hospitalization
  • USD $500,000 annual benefit limit
  • Comprehensive cancer care coverage
  • Medical repatriation coverage
  • Optional basic coverage for outpatient and preventative care 
  • Optional dental and vision coverage

April International’s MyHealth International Essential Plan Benefits

  • USD $1,000,000 annual benefit limit
  • Inpatient private room coverage up to USD $75 per day
  • Moderate coverage for outpatient and preventative care
  • Optional dental and vision coverage
  • Optional maternity coverage
  • Medical repatriation coverage

April International’s MyHealth International Comfort Plan Benefits

  • Unlimited annual benefits
  • Comprehensive cancer care coverage
  • Full private room coverage for hospitalization
  • Comprehensive outpatient and preventative care coverage
  • Optional dental and vision coverage
  • Maternity insurance available
  • Medical repatriation coverage

April International’s MyHealth International Premium Plan Benefits

  • Deluxe comprehensive outpatient and preventative care coverage
  • Unlimited annual benefits
  • Comprehensive cancer care coverage
  • Full private room coverage for hospitalization
  • Optional dental and vision coverage with the highest benefit limits of any April International plan
  • Maternity insurance available with the highest benefit limits of any April International plan
  • Medical repatriation coverage

Why Expats Choose April International Health Insurance

  • Paperless reimbursement process through the Easy Claim app
  • Unlimited free telehealth 24/7
  • No upfront payment when hospitalized
  • April International customer support is available over the phone, online chat, Messenger, and WhatsApp

Learn more about April International’s options for expats in China.

Ping An: Local Expertise for Expats Seeking Health Insurance in China

Ping An offers top-notch medical insurance options for expats in China. Additional insurance is available for homes and cars through Ping An. Health management and consultation services are available with Ping-An’s health-centered policies. 

Here is an overview of the benefits available on Ping An’s health insurance plans for expats.

  • Second medical opinions worldwide
  • Emergency assistance
  • Direct billing
  • Inpatient care coverage and admissions support
  • Outpatient appointment support
  • Health management
  • Wellness exam coverage
  • Healthcare consulting
  • Dental coverage options

Why Expats Choose Ping An for Health Insurance

  • Ping An’s motto is “Making people healthier,” and their plans reflect this customer-oriented motto
  • In addition to health insurance, Ping An offers accidental injury, motor, home, travel, fire, pet insurance and more
  • Health consultation services are available to customers
  • Ping An offers local presence and expertise for expats in China

This article discusses more details about Ping An’s expat health insurance in China.

Bupa: Trusted Health Insurance for Expats in China

Bupa’s plans for expats in China have some of the highest annual limits on dental care and offer worldwide coverage excluding the United States. Comprehensive care including dental, maternity, and medical evacuation starts at USD $831 monthly for a 32-year-old woman from America. 

The following list highlights some of the benefits of Bupa’s Worldwide Health Options plan. 

  • Dental benefit limit of up to USD $5,950
  • Maternity Insurance with home delivery coverage 
  • Maternity Insurance waiting period of 24 months, but with high pregnancy benefit limits
  • Annual health check benefits that include routine and travel vaccinations
  • Optical coverage
  • Low inpatient annual deductible of USD $3,400

The World Wide Health Options plan has multiple options for deductibles, so you can determine the premium-versus-deductible ratio that best fits your needs.

Why Expats Choose Bupa International Health Insurance Plans

  • Bupa offers 24/7 Virtual Global Virtual Care
  • Access to second medical opinions
  • No referrals for specialist care
  • Bupa’s services are conveniently available online and in their app

ICBC-AXA: Comprehensive Expat Health Insurance Plans in China

ICBC-AXA offers medical, life, and additional insurance policies to expats in China. Comprehensive expat health insurance plans including inpatient, outpatient, emergency evacuation and repatriation, maternity, and dental coverage start at USD $510 monthly for an American woman aged 32.

ICBC’s basic regional Comprehensive coverage plan includes the following benefits:

  • A high annual benefit limit of USD $8,000,000
  • Coverage for medical services in mainland China
  • USD $30,000 inpatient annual deductible but plan options are available with lower deductibles
  • Wellness coverage for annual health checks and routine vaccinations
  • Annual limit of USD $600,000 for chronic conditions
  • Emergency evacuation and repatriation
  • Dental coverage
  • Maternity coverage after a short, 180-day waiting period

ICBC’s Plus plan with worldwide coverage excluding the United States offers the most comprehensive medical benefits including the following:

  • USD $8,000,000 annual benefit limit
  • Optical and dental coverage
  • Coverage for annual health checks, routine vaccinations, and routine cancer screenings
  • 180-day waiting period for maternity insurance coverage
  • Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
  • USD $700,000 coverage limit annually for chronic conditions

Why Expats Choose ICBC-AXA Health Insurance

  • ICBC-AXA offers top-notch customer service online and offline
  • This company keeps up with changing customer needs 
  • Keeps services updated
  • ICBC-AXA offers insurance many different insurance products including life, medical, retirement, critical illness, and more

Finding the Best Health Insurance in China for Expats

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Finding the best health insurance for yourself as an expat in China can be simplified by using an insurance broker. When you work with an insurance broker, you get additional services at no extra cost to you. For example, you can find and compare quotes from multiple companies at once.

Pacific Prime is a respected international insurance broker. In addition to finding and comparing plans, Pacific Prime has a dedicated claims support team to provide ongoing support for its clients. You can contact one of our insurance experts with questions.

For more tips on how to choose the best health insurance for expats in China, explore this comparative analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is private health insurance in China for expats?

Expats can get very basic inpatient-only coverage for as low as USD $4 monthly in China. Plans with inpatient, dental, and outpatient benefits can be as low as $169 monthly. Private health insurance with maternity coverage will have a waiting period and have higher premiums.

Can expats get free healthcare in China?

Healthcare is offered for free in China for citizens and permanent residents. Expats without permanent resident status will need to find private health insurance for medical coverage. Expats may also choose supplemental insurance to access private hospitals in China.

Does China offer good medical care?

Medical care in China meets most Western standards in terms of technology and competency of providers. Medical care obstacles for foreigners in China include long wait times and language barriers. 

Conclusion

Expat health insurance plans from the 11 best international health insurance companies in China can be customized to meet the needs of individuals and families. These companies offer competitive medical benefits and online customer support.

The top 11 international insurance companies for expats in China include Cigna, Allianz, NOW Health International, AXA, GeoBlue, MSH International, IMG Global, April International, Ping An, and ICBC-AXA.

Here’s a final overview of why expats love these 11 insurance companies:

  • Many of these companies also simplify the claims process by offering customers a free app to receive support and file claims. You can also find 24/7 customer multilingual customer support.
  • Select your desired coverage area to further customize your expat health insurance to meet your needs and budget.
  • Most plans and insurance companies also allow expats to choose from a range of deductibles to maximize flexibility.

If you have questions about international health insurance, you can ask an insurance expert online or by calling toll-free 1-800-868-1451.

Ready to shop for expat health insurance on your own? Use this quote generator online for free to compare quotes from multiple companies at once.

Head of Content at Pacific Prime
Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
Serena Fung
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